Getting Back to One’s Roots

For a while now I've been experimenting with subject matter that lies outside of my happy place. I originally started shooting landscapes as it's a subject that lies near and dear to my heart. But in order to grow as an artist I've been stretching my creative boundaries to portraits, weddings, events, architecture and even encompassing it all through self portraits, which if any of you have tried, shooting one's self , it's one of the most difficult subjects of them all.

So much living outside of the box, I've now almost forgot what it's like to recline inside my landscape comfort zone. This is why I'm really looking forward to next week - a week long camping and exploration trip up through Tobermory and Manitoulin Island. The Bruce Peninsula, located in the heart of a World Biosphere Reserve, the Peninsula is a place of global ecological significance. The massive, rugged cliffs of the park are inhabited by thousand-year-old cedar trees, overhanging the crystal-clear waters of Georgian Bay.

From there we move even further north to the shores of Lake Superior, the largest of the five Great Lakes of North America. The Ojibwe called the lake Gitchigumi, meaning "big water". Where these famous rugged waters have carved out some of Canada's most spectacular wilderness images.

To date, I haven't had the opportunity to shoot this far north, so I'm really hoping I will be able to spiritually detox and get back to my creative artistic roots. Stay tuned – beautiful images soon to be posted.

My Good friend David Sweeney & I will agian be participating in the The Guild Alive with Culture: An Arts Festival this year. The weather looks to be perfect and the park is a lovely place to visit and go for a walk.

Here are the details - see you there.

The Guild Alive with Culture: An Arts Festival

Saturday, August 15th, 2009 ~ 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 16th, 2009 ~ 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Booth 12 & 13

The Guild Inn Gardens

201 Guildwood Parkway, Scarborough

An “out of Box” Experience

It's always good to step outside of the box, or in this case into a box that offers up a whole slew of challenges and excitement.

So, as most of you may know – I'm a landscape photographer, with a little travel documentary thrown in. I've never proclaimed to be a commercial photographer, a product or wedding photographer, not even a portrait or family and pet enthusiast. But that shouldn't hold me back from at least attempting the impossible.

One of my more interesting "out of the box" experiences is UE [urban exploration]. I started shooting UE about three (3) years ago. Of course my love for travel and exploration in general kicked in and I thoroughly enjoy this particular aspect, but must admit, my 1^st attempts of producing lovely UE photo's were far from as exciting.

I've come a long way since then, now a co-founder of the Shadow Collective, which you will hear more about in the coming months. The group focus is primarily on artistic UE imagery.

So in closing – although my heart still lies with mother-nature, I've been able to spread my wings and grow to love a different kind of landscape. I'm still a landscape photographer – only now I enjoy the good, the bad and the ugly – not just the beautiful. Rock on!!

[ images are from a recent trip to Gary Indiana ]